Um….yeah….sorry it has taken me so long to update…but I had real difficulty trying to get this chapter started, but once I had, I couldn't stop! It's taken me a week and half, nearly two weeks to write 23 pages, my longest chapter ever. I would've broken it up but I don't want to torment you with cliff hangers, so if I can help it, I won't.
So be prepared for some good old action! In this chapter chaos breaks lose and many characters find themselves in tough situations! Will they survive?
I hope you enjoy this chapter and please let me know what you think! Reviews are appreciated!
The Bond
Chapter 12
Onward To Destiny
After the funeral, Christmas came and went. The new year was celebrated, but James spent his time on duty, trying to prevent Wizarding families from bringing too much attention to themselves. Harry remained at Hogwarts with Hermione and Ron.
The weeks flew by until it was the beginning of February, and James hadn't seen his son since the funeral. He hadn't even celebrated Christmas, preferring to stay at Hogwarts. He had occasional letters but Harry had expressed no interest in visiting. In a way James could understand. With Sirius' death, Dumbledore had informed the sixteen year old of the Horcruxes, that had been on the third day of term after the new year.
Since then Harry had been dwelling over them for a long time. James could not blame him. After all, his son had the fate of his world, and he was only sixteen. Could his son really take that burden? It was something that James doubted (and he regretted it), though he knew Harry was a strong person.
Worried, James got on with his life, trying his hardest to forget what had happened.
Life passed them by and the cold winter months fled into spring, giving warmth and colour to James' dull life. He had kept in contact with Dumbledore, who had been researching thoroughly the Horcruxes. James had begged the headmaster to tell his son what he was expected to do, and finally, after much pressure, decided it was time. On the third day of term, Dumbledore sent a short note saying that Harry had been told.
So, in James' opinion, the countdown was on. If he knew his son well enough, Harry would not stop until Voldemort had been completely destroyed.
He sat alone, gulfed by the fading fire of the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry leaned back in his favourite chair, closing his eyes, and summoning the faces of his loved ones to his mind.
It was all too much. Ever since Dumbledore had told him about the Horcruxes, his life had been passing in a blur, unable to keep track of it. To Harry, this was not new. He had not written to his father that much, only telling him that he was alright.
But in truth, he was not alright.
Every night his mind warred constantly, trying to sort out the mess he was in.
The world depended on him.
The fate of the Wizarding World rested on his shoulders.
At sixteen he had a burden that no one else could carry.
And yet…though he found it hard to believe, he was at peace with it. He knew what he had to do, it was just doing it that scared him.
Die or become a murderer.
That was the question - and thought - that tormented him every night. And after so long, Harry had finally made the critical decision. He pulled a piece of parchment to him and started to compose a letter to his father. He sat there for nearly four hours before he felt he had written what he needed to. Folding it up, he sneaked up to the dormitory, took the Marauders Map and his Invisibility Cloak and made his way to owlery.
I will be a murderer….
It was sometime in the middle of February that James received a letter from his son. After so long, his son had spent the time to write to him.
Dad,
I know about the Horcruxes and what they are meant to do. I need to find them. I cannot sit at Hogwarts waiting for Voldemort to come and kill me. This may shock you, but you can't stop me. I'm not going to continue my education. Too much is at stake here, for me to worry about the N.E.W.Ts. If I can destroy Voldemort then I will complete my schooling, but until then…I'm sorry if you're mad but it is my decision. I have to do this, it's the only way for me to find peace.
My fate is to die, or be a murderer. I have chosen to be a murderer.
Murderer. I will kill, and I will live.
Love, Harry
P.S) I leave in Easter.
James crumpled the paper up. He understood it perfectly. But something seemed to gnaw at his consciousness….something told him that Hogwarts was about to change….something dark was coming.
He just couldn't place his finger on it.
Easter seemed to speed towards them. In the run up to the end of term, Harry unleashed his anger on Draco Malfoy, cursing him badly which nearly killed him. Snape had been livid, and sentenced him to two month's detention. Harry did not care, for he knew he would be leaving in a few days time. He had not even told Ron and Hermione his plans.
They were completely oblivious.
As the end of term drew nearer his nerves mounted as he thought of what he was about to do. Even Ron noticed something was gnawing at him. They cornered him two nights before term ended, waiting till everyone had left the Common Room.
He was finishing his essay when they stood up, crossed the room and stood in front of him, their faces stern and collected.
"What do you want?" Harry muttered, putting down his quill, and looking over his glasses at his friends.
"Something's up with you." Ron stated.
"So?"
"We know you are planning something." Hermione said.
"Why are you keeping secrets from us? We're your best friends!" Ron demanded, colour flushing to his cheeks.
Harry shrugged, undeterred. "Maybe because it is my business."
Hermione slammed her hand down on the table. "It's her business too! You're our best friend. We care for you! Why can't you share with us this secret you keep within your heart?"
"You would not understand."
Ron glowered, anger at Harry's mistrust in them. "Try us." He snarled.
Harry stared at them for a long time before finally sighing: "Fine. But you won't stop me. I've already made my mind up."
He took a deep breath, placed his hands in front of him, and spoke quickly, the words tumbling out of his mouth. "I'm leaving Hogwarts in two days time to take up the hunt for the Horcruxes. I'm not returning till I've defeated Voldemort, or I will not return at all because I will die."
Hermione's hands came to her mouth, and her eyes widened in horror. Ron looked equally numb.
"You can't be serious." Hermione managed, whispering.
"No, I'm not serious." Harry replied sarcastically. "Of course I am!"
Hermione stood up, coming round the table to crouch beside Harry. "But…but…there has to be another way. Surely….this can wait?"
Shaking his head, Harry stood, and started pacing. "I can't wait. I know too much. I have to find three Horcruxes Hermione, and then kill Voldemort. If I wait he will grow stronger and possibly make more Horcruxes. And he will make sure I don't know about them. If I go now I have a better chance of winning then dying."
Hermione felt tears running down her cheeks. She didn't want Harry to leave. If she let him go, she feared the worst. Harry and Ron were the two people who she cared most about in the entire world. Losing them, was like losing a piece of herself.
Desperately she turned back to Ron, her urgent voice broke him from his reverie. "Ron. We can't let him go."
Ron blinked, but numbly he spoke, speaking the inevitable. "Harry has to go. The world is dark enough without more of these Hor….Hor things around. The better for us if Vol….Vol….Voldemort," he swallowed, nervously, "is destroyed quicker then later. But….I don't think Harry should go alone." He stopped, glancing towards Harry's face, noting that he appeared to scowl.
"And why's that Ron?" Harry growled. "Think I can't handle it?"
"No! That's not what I meant!" Ron hurriedly replied, sweat beading his forehead.
Tear stained eyes tracked Ron, "What do you mean?" emphasised Hermione.
Harry folded his arms. "Yeah, do enlighten us please." He was getting impatient. He hated the fact people seemed to think of him as a baby, and right now Ron was chucking out that opinion.
Ron stammered, trying to form what he wanted to say into an appropriate sentence. "Well, you see, I think…well, you might see it differently, like we're afraid for you….its just that, and I personally believe….that well maybe….if you let us, Hermione and I could go with you, for support and stuff." He smiled hopefully.
Harry's scowl turned into a concentrating frown. Then he firmly said 'NO!"
"Why not?" Ron leapt up.
"Because I don't want to lead you into a situation where you are likely to die! I did that to Cedric, and that has haunted me forever. I even killed my own mother! If it hadn't been for the Prophecy, and the fact that I was the 'Chosen One', then maybe my mother would've had a longer life! It's because of me people die!"
"And it's because we'd be with you that we would feel safe and protected." Hermione whispered.
"Can you please think about it?" Ron asked.
Harry sighed turning away and pacing the room. Nearly after five minutes of silence, of which his mind had been turning, trying to find some excuse to turn his friends away, but he couldn't. Finally he said: "Alright. I don't want you to follow me, but if you want to give up everything, you can, but it won't be an easy journey." He turned away to the stair case but was stopped when Hermione asked:
"Eh, Harry, how are you going to perform magic when you are not seventeen until July? You can't perform magic outside school until then."
"Don't worry." Harry grimaced. "I've got it all under control." He climbed the stairs, and then a few minutes later reappeared holding the Invisibility Cloak and the Map.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked sharply.
"The Owlery. I need to send a letter."
And with that, he pushed open the portrait, disappearing from view as he slid the Cloak over him, and left the tower behind, leaving his two friends to muse over what they had just learned.
The following morning at breakfast, a big barn owl landed at the Gryffindor Table, bearing Harry a big letter, wrapped tightly, with an official mark of the Minister stamped on the right hand side. His face became a grin, and he eagerly paid the owl and put the letter in his bag.
"Why don't you open it?" Ron asked, curiously. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept much the previous night.
"You'll see." Harry replied, zipping his bag up, and then tucking into his breakfast.
The day passed agonizingly slow for Ron, for he was intimately curious what Harry had received. Harry strolled back to Gryffindor Tower, to Ron's annoyance, but when they finally got their, all Harry did was get a book out to read. He sat down his favourite chair by the fire, and read.
Finally Ron couldn't take it any longer. "Come on, Harry. Aren't you going to open your letter?"
"Once everyone has gone I am." He replied. "No one must know."
"Oh…" Ron mouthed. He turned to start on his potions essay.
Harry grinned as he saw what Ron was doing. "Don't bother doing that Ron. There's no point, especially if you are going to come with me."
"Oh."
"It's best to do it now, just in case." Hermione intercepted.
Harry shrugged. "Fine, but I'm not staying."
As night drew on, the Common Room emptied, until at last just Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville were left in the room. Neville was working on his Herbology work, sitting by himself in the corner, writing intently.
"Alright," Harry said at last, putting his book down, opening his bag and retrieving the envelope. "Letter opening time." He grinned, seeing Ron's eager face. He looked over at Neville, and then called. "Neville, can you come here please? It's important!"
A curious expression on his face, Neville slipped over, "Yeah?"
Harry stayed silent while he slit open the envelope, and out fell four cards. Hermione frowned, as Harry picked them up and handed one card to each of them. He watched, a grin spreading across his face as he watched their faces contort to surprise.
"Harry?" Hermione gasped, holding up the card to her eyes as if she was inspecting it to ensure it was real.
Neville wore an expression of dumb relief. It was if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Harry, what have you done?" Hermione demanded. "You're faking our ages?"
Harry smiled. "No, I'm not. They are authorised cards."
Hermione pursed her lips, obviously about to say that she knew it was impossible. "It's impossible Harry. We have to be seventeen to use these!"
"You are seventeen." Harry pointed out.
"True, but you're not, and neither is Neville."
"That's what these are for." Harry pointed out. "To prove that we can use magic at sixteen."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's against the law!"
"Hermione, will you let him explain, instead of lecturing him on right and wrong?" Ron demanded.
Hermione did not respond but rested her eyes on Harry, waiting for him to explain.
"These cards allow us to use magic outside school at sixteen. I wrote to the Minister explaining my plan and situation. He responded saying it was unusual but if it is what the Chosen One wants to do, he will authorise it. I also asked for you three to have the cards to, so that if you wish you can come with me." Harry said, "Happy?"
Hermione bit her lip. "I suppose…but how do we know these are genuine?"
"We don't." stated Harry. "We just have to trust the Minister."
Neville was still looking lost so Harry turned to him. "Now, Neville, I will explain, if Ron and Hermione kindly leave us. If you two are coming with me, I suggest you get a good night's sleep, if you can."
"G'night." Ron muttered, yawning loudly as he trumped up the boy's staircase, with Hermione, before she turned to go into the girl's dormitories.
"Shall we begin?" Harry asked.
Neville nodded, making himself comfortable in the chair.
Neville watched Ron and Hermione leave, his eyes trailing round the Common Room, before resting his gaze on Harry. He took a deep breath - a knot seemed to be forming in his chest - as if he was afraid of what he was about to hear. "So…" his voice trembled as if he was afraid to ask. "What's this all about?" It took effort but Neville managed to get the question out.
Harry spread his hands out. "It's like this." He began.
For the next hour Neville listened to Harry, as he learnt of the Prophecy and his place in it, as well as Harry's plan to go Horcrux hunting, with his official pass card.
"I want you to come with me Neville," Harry pressed, "I need you, whether you believe it or not."
Neville stammered, finally finding his voice. "But what can I do?"
"Be a Gryffindor." Harry said simply. "Think about it. Alright? I'm leaving tomorrow, if you want to come, then meet me at the front gates, okay? If not, don't be there. I'm leaving about ten. I know you can help me….I don't know how yet, but I know you are strong. You are more powerful then what you think you are. I'm giving you the opportunity to discover more about yourself. Just, please, consider it. I will understand if you don't want to help me, but it will be appreciated." Harry grinned.
"My Gran wouldn't want me to leave."
"Neville," Harry pressed, "If you come with me, I will personally make a visit to your grandma's house to explain this to her. I will take all blame, I promise."
Neville bit his lips. "Alright, Harry. I'll come. I'm with you. It would've been my fate otherwise." His voice shook as he said this, but afterwards he felt a great weight life from his shoulders. For once in his life, Neville felt that he was about to achieve something of greatness.
He only hoped he succeeded in helping Harry and didn't bungle it up, like he had done in the past.
He waited in the Room of Requirement, his stomach rumbling with fear, he felt scared but also elated at what he had just achieved. He swept a hand through his blond hair, then tugged his robes tight around his body as the first of the Death Eaters walked out of the cabinet that lay against the opposing wall.
Draco Malfoy held his breath as Bellatrix Lestrange tugged her hood down, and pulled out her wand. A maniac grin spread across her face, as her dark, cruel eyes sought out the door, and made to reach for it, but Draco stepped in front of her.
"We have to wait for the others." He hissed, trying not to tremble as her gaze came to rest on him. He stood up straight, bearing his shoulders, his grey eyes staring hard into her face, trying to impose his will upon her.
"They'd better be quick, hadn't they?" she said venomously.
Draco gulped and stepped back, trying not to let the far slip into his eyes. She smirked watching him. The door to the cabinet creaked open and the Death Eaters filed in.
Amycus and Alecto, brother and sister, both wearing identical lopsided sneers.
Carson Trevot, who was a last surviving member of the Trevot family, and one who had been loyal to the Dark Arts for years. Carson was big, muscular man, with blond hair, and a very pronounced nose.
Davis Gibbons appeared next, his dark black hair swept back in a pony tail. His eyes were alight with madness. He was followed by Fenrir Greyback, and at his appearance, Draco shrunk back a little more, slightly afraid of this imposing monster, who he knew, killed for fun, and had an obsession with eating children.
Stephanie Yaxley followed, with Kara Travers.
The last person to step through radiated such evil and power that Draco shook, and he felt cold as the seeking red eyes levelled on him.
Voldemort, once known as Tom Riddle, had returned to Hogwarts.
Draco closed the door to the cabinet, and then Bellatrix turned to him. "Go on then, Draco, lead us out."
Draco nodded opening the door to the hallway and peered outside. The lights were fading, and he hesitated before moving out. He didn't want to do this.
And then all hell broke lose.
"Magic." James said proudly, laying down the word onto the Scrabble board he and Remus were using. "That is fifteen points!" he added his score to his current number and grinned up at his friend. "Try and beat me."
Remus sat opposite, concentrating hard on the letters in front of him. What the hell could he do with A J K T I V C? And then he saw it. There was a spare E hanging from the word one, that he had sat down earlier. Grinning he placed the A C T I V on the left hand side of the E, forming the word ACTIVE. "And I believe that is twenty points to me!"
James sighed and added Remus' twenty to his current score. "That was pure luck."
Remus just grinned even wider. "I told you Potter, you can't beat a Lupin at Scrabble."
James put a hand to his face and shook his head. "I knew I should never have suggested this game."
Just then something flashed and a phoenix feather appeared, with a scroll attached to it. James snatched it out of the air, unrolled it and his eyes widened. "Voldemort is at Hogwarts." He swallowed.
"Where's Dumbledore?" Remus asked. "Surely he would be there?"
James shook his head. "No, he isn't. Dumbledore is on a mission, he's helping Harry with something." The Horcruxes…
"Then we must hurry." Remus replied, getting up quickly.
James nodded, his mind consumed with the fact that Voldemort was at Hogwarts and the fact that….
My son is there….
The Death Eaters spread through the Castle, sending spells at the terrified students, stunning them. The Dark Mark settled over the school - though no one had died. Draco hurried along with the crowd of Death Eaters, dealing out stunning spells or simple jinxes. He had looked forward to this for months, but now it was here he could not bear to harm his fellow students, not even the Mudbloods.
Draco Malfoy was slowly discovering his conscience.
Harry had just settled down to sleep when he heard the sound of a spell being formed and a flash of green light that hurtled upwards. Everyone in his dormitory - Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus - had all woken and were looking terrified.
"What was that?" Ron said. A faint green glow could be seen coming through the window. Harry had an odd feeling in his stomach as he walked over to the window and peered out into the sky.
He gasped, stumbled backwards, horrified. "It's the Dark Mark…"
The others rushed forwards and screamed. Below them Harry saw students running with Death Eaters shooting spells at them. Anger poured through him. And then he saw Voldemort, laughing, as he watched his enemies fall. Acting quickly he began to dress, throwing on his jeans and a t-shirt, grabbing his invisibility cloak, broom, the map and wand, before picking up his pack that he had packed for his mission, and made his way to the dormitory door.
"If you want to live, follow me." He demanded. Quickly, the others scrambled for their own clothes, and once they were ready, wands held tightly in their white hands, Harry led them cautiously down the stairs. Hermione was waiting for them in the Common Room, her face white, but a determined look on her face showed her resolution.
"Come on! Ron, Hermione, lead them to safety. Once you have, meet me as quick as you can at the statue on the third floor. We will use it to escape to Hogsmeade and carry on from there. I have to start this mission now or otherwise Voldemort will win!" he said forcefully.
"What are you going to do?" Dean asked.
"Cover you."
He bade them to follow him out of the portrait hole. No one was around. He could hear fighting below. Gritting his teeth, he slid onto his broom, chucked his invisibility cloak and the map to the others and took off. He circled above them, near the ceiling. "I'll cover you from here. Use the cloak if it can fit all you. If not the map will come in handy. Go!" he ordered, swooping off to check on the stairs.
Hermione glanced at Ron, and without another word slipped the cloak over them. It was too small to fit them, but Hermione suddenly thought of using the enlargement charm, and the cloak became bigger, so that it covered them all. Carefully hidden, and with Hermione keeping an eye on the map, Ron led them down the corridor.
Harry flew back and forth ensuring no Death Eaters were around. As the others below him descended to the fourth level, he spotted Ginny hiding away. He flew down to her, quickly grabbed her and flew to where Hermione was making motions with her hand by showing it from underneath the cloak. "Get under there!" Harry bade Ginny and she slipped under the cloak, trusting Harry.
And so the continued downwards to the third level. Harry floated downwards and motioned to speak to Hermione. She slipped out from under the cloak, one eye on the map.
"I've decided to hide the others in the passageway. It's the safest way. If we go down any further we will be caught. I can't risk anything happening to you lot."
Hermione nodded, slipped back under the cloak and relayed Harry's message back to the others. Carefully, and quietly, they stumbled along the corridor, until they came to the statue. Hermione lifted her wand, whispered Dissendium and the statue moved aside, and they slipped inside. Harry followed, dismounted from his broomstick and slipping through the gap, using his wand to close the passage off.
"Lumos!" Hermione whispered bringing light to the passage.
Dean and Seamus were white in the face, their eyes confused, while Neville shook, and Ginny huddled up to Ron. Hermione lowered her wand, moving aside to let Harry through.
"I'm going back out." He announced.
"What?" the resounding chorus of 'what's" caused Harry to jump, he had not expected such reply.
"I have to help as many students I can. I'm not leaving them to Voldemort."
"But, what if you're caught? We wouldn't know!" Hermione said, tears gathering in her eyes. "We need you!"
"And so do those stuck out there!" Harry responded, red in the face. "I'm not trying to be hero or anything, but I have to help them. Who else will? Dumbledore isn't here! Why do you think they attacked? Because Dumbledore isn't able to defend the school! And the teachers….I've seem them a floor below….they're losing. Being captured, and if I can help them, I will. I have to defeat Voldemort remember, and I won't succeed if I don't attempt different ways of beating him!"
Numb.
"How do we know there are even three Horcruxes left?" Harry asked. "We don't! It's just guesswork! I have to try for that principle alone." He turned to leave but glanced over his shoulder, "Wait for me outside Hogsmeade if you intend to come with me, if not find cover elsewhere. This passage will lead you to Honeydukes; there make your own way." He slipped out the passage, clutching the Invisibility Cloak and the map.
Hermione turned to the others. "Well, we'd better get moving." She muttered, lifting her wand high and starting to walk down the passage, stumbling ever so often. Ron, Neville and Ginny followed; Dean and Seamus traded looks of confusion, but nevertheless held their own wands high, cast 'Lumos' and followed Hermione.
WHOOSH!
Embers flew out of Dumbledore's fireplace as Remus slid out onto the office floor, closely followed by James, who's feet struck Remus in the back, sending him flying.
"Sorry, mate!" James called, walking over and extending a hand.
"You had to go straight after me, didn't you. You couldn't wait!" Remus brushed dust from his robes, grabbed his wand and made towards the door. "Come on, it's going to be war from now on."
"My priority is Harry, not the school." James snarled.
"I know that, but we should try and rescue as many students as possible."
James nodded. No matter how much his conscience gnawed at him, if he saw a student in danger he would help them. Children did not deserve to die so young. Gripping his wand, James followed Remus out of Dumbledore's office and into the school corridors.
Hearing shouts and screams the two began to run. They rounded a corner and came face to face with Bellatrix Lestrange, her insane laughter rumbling in their ears. Her eyes lighted with delight as she saw them, bringing her wand forward.
"I shall enjoy this…" she hissed, pleasure marking her voice.
James' anger heightened, and he raised his wand, pointing at her. "Me and you," he whispered. "Let Remus go past."
"James…" Remus started, but James cut him off.
"SHUT UP!" he bellowed. His wand pointing straight at Bellatrix. "Come on, let him go, and I'll fight you to the death."
She stood up straighter, madness reflecting in her eyes. "Alright then. To the death, but be warned, Potter, it will be me killing you and the werewolf tonight."
"I don't think so," James replied. He shook his head at Remus, motioning for him to go past, his hazel eyes watching Bellatrix.
"Good luck." Remus muttered as he slipped past, keeping his wand up as he ran past. He turned the corner and was gone from James' vision.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Bellatrix yelled. Green light burst from her wand, heading straight for James, but he rolled to the side, sending off the "Expelliarmus' spell as he did so. She threw up a shield blocking the spell, sending it ricocheting back towards him. He dived again, hitting the wall. He climbed to his feet throwing at his opponent, "Flagrantia" the burning spell.
Missed.
"How dare you?" she screeched, her voice echoing around. "Furnunculus!" The boil curse. James dived again, bringing his wand round to repeat the spell he had just used, and this time, it made contact. Bellatrix screamed, as James crossed his wand as an X in mid-air, burning a large X onto her chest, not deep enough to kill her, but deep enough to give her immense pain.
What had turned into a death defying duel, now turned into a duel to cause the other as much pain as possible. Both were evenly matched, excellent spell casters, and well known for their jinxes and curses. James felt himself going back to his Hogwarts days when he had spent the first six years cursing and jinxing other students, something of which he was ashamed of now.
But no such emotion came to him now.
Bellatrix deserved it.
And he intended to make her pay.
Bellatrix raised her wand, her dark hair framing her face, but through the strands of her, James could see dark eyes, staring out at him, with the sign of death embedded in them. As she cast "Crucio!", James cast "Impedimenta!" and the two spells impacted so hard that the casters were thrown from their feet and into opposite walls.
Both climbed to their feet at virtually the same time; James cast "Incendio", intending to set Bellatrix's robes on fire, while she cast the Killing Curse. Both went astray missing them both.
James raised his wand towards the candles and yelled: "Nox!" The lights in the hall distinguished so rapidly that James dived to the side as the Killing Curse shot past his head. He sneaked round on the floor, Bellatrix throwing curses all around - and James wondered why she did not bother to ignite the candles again - but this was perfect.
"CRUCIO!" she cast the spell thinking she knew where he was, but in order to make the effect, James began to scream, while crawling along on his belly. Bellatrix seemed to think she had got him and walked towards where she was casting the spell. Once she had safely walked past James on the flew, he quietly got to his feet, and then he yelled "LIGHTS IGNITE!"; and the candles burned bright.
"WHAT?" Bellatrix saw that she was not torturing anyone, but before she could whirl round, James had leapt at his back, pushing her forward onto the floor; her wand falling from her grip. James pointed his wand at her body and tied thick binding ropes around her.
She screamed in rage, trying to kick him, but the ropes were too tight. James deliberately made them tighter.
"Do you want to be squeezed to death?" James asked quietly.
She snarled but no answer came forth.
"Fine." James flicked his wand, tightening the cords. He did not care that he was about to murder her. They tightened, her face growing white, until -
"DAD!"
James looked up, lifting his wand away from Bellatrix's struggling form. "HARRY!"
So relieved to see his son, he forgot about Bellatrix and followed Harry, who hugged the Invisibility Cloak to his shoulders exposing his head.
The last thing he heard as he rounded the corner was Bellatrix's scream of rage. "I'll kill you Potter! If it's the last thing I do!"
Remus slipped around the corner, running as fast as he could through the mess of Death Eaters and the remaining teachers that were fighting. His brown hair fell in locks about his face. A determined smile fell across. He was determined to not fail James: he had to find Harry, and if he could help any students he could.
As he rounded another corner, he heard a voice coming from a small gap in the wall. He whirled and saw Harry standing there with the cloak half covering him. "HARRY!"
"Lupin!" Harry said, his mess of black hair falling down his face. "Is my dad here?"
Remus nodded, pointing round the corner. "Just follow the corridor round, and you'll find him after the mess of Death Eaters."
"Thanks." Harry nodded and covered the cloak over his head, disappearing from view. Before Remus could even say anything, Harry was gone, presumably going after his father. He shook his head, wondering what an earth Harry was up to, but he could do nothing about it. Gripping his wand ever more tightly he ran up the stairs to the third floor, leaving the mess of Death Eaters behind.
He stepped onto the corridor that held Defence Against the Dark Arts, and from further up, he heard the unmistakeably sounds of screaming. His heart missed a beat.
Students.
Screaming.
He hurried forward, his footsteps pattering on the floor, his shadow illuminated on the walls by the candles that lit the corridor. An eerie silence fell as the screams stopped, and Remus halted, his breathing fast.
Weary with caution he turned the next corner, and stumbled backwards as someone leapt at him from the side, bashing his head on the corridor floor.
Blackness threatened to consume him, but the voice, one he dreaded weaned its way into his deteriorating conscience, bringing him back to the fore, as fear and memories from the past clouded his mind, like poison.
Six years old, nearly seven…
Remus held the dustbin bag close to him, as he slipped round to the side of his parent's house. He lived in a small neighbourhood on the outskirts of a small Muggle town in North Yorkshire. There were only seven houses in his road. He lived at number three, that was situated right at the end of the close.
The full moon shone directly overhead, beating down upon his sand coloured head, that was gradually turning a light brown, when the sun shone brightly on it.
A howl.
Remus shivered. He had never liked that sound…and it sounded rather close. He hurried towards the bin, deposited the rubbish into it, closed the lid, and quickly began to walk back round to the front door.
And then it happened.
A howl, so close that it made Remus' hair stiffen, and he automatically swept the surrounding area, his eyes looking for the source. As he looked behind him, a shape came bounding toward him, it's eyes alight with desire.
Remus screamed, flinging his arms in front of him as the monster leapt at him, catching its teeth in his shoulder. Sharp pain spread through him, engulfing his awareness. He was aware of screaming….and a burst of light…and barely hearing his mother's voice telling him to hold on…and convulsing as pain shot through him…and then his awareness went, sending him into complete blackness.
The terrible news he had woken to had changed his life forever. His father's voice reverberated in his head, forever haunting him, every time he made the change from boy to monster…
"You are a werewolf now, Remus."
"Ah…Remus Lupin…we meet again…"
Fenrir Greyback stood over him, long yellow fingernails protruding from fingers, his matted grey hair dirty and sweaty and a smell of blood covered his Death Eater robes that looked unusually tight on him.
His flashing eyes showed a hint of pleasure as he raised a wand to point directly at Remus' face.
They stumbled out into Honeydukes cellar, practically falling on the floor. Hermione was near to tears; she didn't know why but she was determined to not fall apart, not while Harry was still at Hogwarts and they were safe. Wiping her hair out of her face, she climbed to her feet, glancing round, illuminating her wand.
"Come on," she said, her voiced trembling. "We have to get out of here."
She helped Ginny to her feet, moved forward and silently slipped up the stairs out of the cellar. Ginny and Ron followed. When the others dare not move, Hermione returned to the cellar, leaned over the barrister, and said: "Don't worry. Follow me and you'll be safe."
Rather reluctantly, Dean, Seamus and Neville followed.
They came to a halt, where James glanced at his son, his eyes seeking answers. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked.
Harry shrugged, sweeping an invisible hand through his hair. "I'm doing what I have to do. Helping others in their time of need."
"You shouldn't even be here! This is the perfect opportunity for you to leave!"
Harry ground his lips together - the stubborn look that James always associated with Lily - and frowned at his father, hardly believing what he was hearing. "You want me to run away?" he accused.
"That's not what I meant!" James blustered, trying to recover from his error. "What I mean, is that while all this chaos is going on, you have a chance to escape unnoticed, yet you're not doing that! You're wasting valuable time running around in your cloak!"
"This would be what you would do." Harry replied.
"It's not about me and I would do," James said harshly, "It's about your survival."
"In other words," began Harry, "you don't trust me to look after myself, even when I've proved to you that I am capable." He shook his head, hurt gathering in his face. "I can't believe you, dad, you say you support me? But you don't! If you did you'd respect my decisions about what I do! I know that I should leave, but I can't because a Gryffindor is brave, and that is what I am."
With a flick of his wrist Harry pulled the cloak over his head disappearing from view. James heard running footsteps, but he felt lost, and could not bear to break his son's heart any further.
Had he really underestimated his son?
Fenrir lunged for the kill, his teeth bared, but Remus was ready. He rolled to the side so quickly that Fenrir could barely register his movements. Remus grabbed his dropped wand, climbed to his feet and cursed the werewolf; Fenrir's howls of rage echoing around.
Through the pain of the curse, Fenrir somehow found the strength to lunge again at Remus - this time his clawed fingers making contact with Remus' biceps, and he clutched hard, so that Remus couldn't bite back the scream that tore from his own throat.
Remus dropped his wand; Fenrir no longer held his.
They were both evenly matched.
Remus kicked out, hitting Fenrir in the right leg, and then he punched hard into his opponents face, trying to turn the fight so that Fenrir was no longer the one in control. Through the pain in his upper arms, Remus gradually moved them so that he soon had a grip on Fenrir's arms. With the strength that he could only possess as a werewolf, he threw Fenrir off of him, slamming the mad man into the wall.
Scrambling around on the floor, Remus found his wand turned back to see Fenrir once again lunging at him, and without hesitation, Remus raised his wand, and as Fenrir reached him, his hands - this time - clutched Remus' shoulders, Remus' wand dug straight into his chest.
A rage of triumph flickered into Remus' brain and without thinking he shouted: "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
A burst of green light, and both Remus and Fenrir flew back against opposite walls.
Darkness fell.
Someone knocked him to the ground nearly fifteen seconds after Harry had disappeared. He nearly dropped his wand, but managed to keep it clutched in his palm. He peered over his shoulder and his eyes widened as he saw who had attacked him.
Standing above him, with a wand to James' head, was Severus Snape, dressed in Death Eater robes.
Draco Malfoy stood behind him.
A phoenix appeared…and Harry knew that Dumbledore had returned.
And sure enough, Hogwarts Headmaster strolled out of the nearest door, his footsteps paced as he made his way past the invisible Harry, and into the corridor Harry had just left his father.
Turning back, Harry followed.
"Snape?" James asked, his eyes alight with confusion. "But…but…how….why?"
Snape sneered. "Pathetic Potter. I would've thought you would've put up a decent fight, but obviously that is beyond even your capability." He stepped back, picking up James' wand, chucking it away down the hall. "Draco!"
Draco Malfoy stepped forward, his blond hair falling down his face, a slight fear entered his eyes as he raised his wand.
"You know what to do." Snape sneered. "Do it and you will be free."
James climbed to his feet, keeping his eyes on Draco, hardly daring to breathe. "What is going on?"
"Isn't it obvious Potter?" Malfoy sneered, but his voice trembled.
Swallowing, James nodded, "You've been tasked to kill me, haven't you?"
"Well, Potter proves at last he has brains." Snape said softly.
James glowered. "But why?"
"The dark lord, Potter, has vowed to kill me if I do not obey him." Draco replied, a mournful look in his eyes.
James fell silent. So Draco is a Death Eater…I should've figured….how else could they have got in here without anyone helping them?
He had to keep them distracted, long enough for someone to - hopefully - find him. "So how did you get the Death Eaters into the school?"
"We don't have time for this, Draco!" Snape said coldly. "Kill him now!"
Draco stepped forward; James stiffened, and yet Draco could not do it. He stood there, his grey eyes cloudy and tormented. "I can't….not in cold blood…not like this. I can't kill…not for the principle of hating someone…I wouldn't even kill Granger if that opportunity came along. I can't kill." He dropped his wand, stepping back.
Snape's face seemed to soften for a second and then he raised his own wand, pointing at James. James couldn't have brought his wand on Draco, but now he did, bringing it up so that he and Snape were squaring each other up.
They were about to start cursing when a sudden darkness crept through the hall, making them shiver. The lights flickered, dimmed and returned to normal. James glanced warily around, his hazel eyes coming to rest on the form of Voldemort, as he strode up behind Draco - who seemed to be unaware of the Dark Lord - and a wand that had been used many times to kill came to point at the back of the Malfoy heir.
"No!" James yelled. "Draco move!"
Draco turned, his eyes widened as he saw the Dark Lord grinning, his red eyes shining in glee.
"I should've known you wouldn't have the guts to kill James Potter. And you know what this means, don't you boy? Your death." Voldemort screeched the killing curse, the green light speeding towards Draco.
And it never hit him.
Draco suddenly disappeared, and the killing curse shot through the air where he had been standing, and hit the far end of the wall.
"WHAT?" Voldemort screeched again. "DUMBLEDORE!"
For Albus Dumbledore had just stepped in to the corridor, his cloak billowing behind him.
Lightness was gradually falling over the darkened sky over Hogwarts, the Dark Mark slowly fading. Screams still echoed throughout the night, and the illumination of spells, jinxes and curses seemed to radiate through the sky.
Neville twisted his head, looking up at the castle from the main street at Hogsmeade. All the residents were watching the spectacle, eyes wide with horror.
"This is where we split." Hermione insisted, her bushy hair standing up, splayed across her back in tangles.
"What?" Ginny asked stepping forward. "Split?"
Ron nodded; Hermione continued. "Yes, me and Ron, and I assume Neville, are going to go with Harry on a mission."
"So you're leaving?" Ginny said. "You can't!"
"And why's that?" Hermione replied, her tone full of bossyness.
"Because I love Harry!" Ginny nearly shouted.
Silence fell, and only Neville's shocked face appeared to fall by that statement.
I'm going to die.
These were the words the Draco Malfoy thought as the green light sped towards him. His limbs seemed to have lost movement and all he could do was watch death come closer.
But something happened as a cloak fell over him, and he was pushed to the side, the killing curse shooting by overhead.
"Move!" came a whispered voice and Draco, without hesitating crawled to a small crevice behind a statue. It was there that he turned around and his eyes widened as he saw who had saved him.
"P-o-t-t-e-r?" Malfoy whispered, shock evident on his face.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, it's me. I saved you, now be quiet, or they will discover us."
Malfoy shut his mouth, and leaned back against the wall. Harry held the cloak over them and lowered his breathing so no sound could be heard. He took a risk, leaning forwards just a bit to peer out into the corridor, so he could see what was transpiring.
Snape was no where to be seen, and to Harry's surprise, Voldemort was gone to, having suddenly turned tail and ran. He had expected Dumbledore to pursue but he didn't, instead he turned to face the statue and said: "You can come out now, Harry."
Harry stepped out, motioning for Draco to follow. He pulled the invisibility cloak off, exposing them both. James' eyes lit with understanding.
"That was a very brave thing you did, Harry." Dumbledore said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Hiding young Malfoy here."
Harry shrugged. "I may dislike him, but I don't wish death on him."
Malfoy seemed surprised by this. He had always been under the impression Potter would've loved to see him killed…and yet Harry had saved him…with great risk to his own life. He bit his lips.
"Thanks, Potter." He mumbled.
Harry allowed a small smile. "It's what I do. You do not deserve to die, not after what you have done. There is still a chance for you, if you can break out from your father's shadow and his influence, you may even find you are a different person entirely."
"I know that." Malfoy admitted. "I wouldn't even kill Granger if given the chance. It's not who I am…thing is I don't know who I am."
Harry nodded.
Dumbledore stepped forward. "You can help us, if you desire to. You can turn down the offer, but remember we can protect you and your mother and your father from Voldemort's wrath. Allow us to aid you, and you to help us, and you will live rather then die for a failure. If you learn to live with all types of magical and non-magical, you will turn the Malfoy family around."
"You will bring honour to your family." Explained James. "You will respected."
Draco hesitated. "I…I don't know. I don't know what to do. It's too much…"
"Then I will give you time to think. You and your mother can be safely kept here until you decide, if you wish."
Draco nodded. "That might be for the best."
Dumbledore motioned for James. "Take young Malfoy upstairs to my office, then go to Malfoy Manor. I'm sure Draco will help you. But first, I'm sure you'd like to say goodbye to Harry."
"You're still leaving?" James asked.
"I have to." Harry replied. "I can't hold it off any longer. I'm not coming back to it's done or I die. I need to do this, dad, it's the only way. I promise I will be careful, but you can't worry about me or send me letters. I will find a way to keep in touch, I promise, but you have to let me do this."
A smile touched James' lips. "I would be chaining you down if I wasn't going to let you go. I can't stop you, it's your own choice, but remember I will always be with you."
"Thanks Dad." Harry said, suddenly flinging his arms round him and hugging his father.
He pulled back, and James and Draco left the hall.
Dumbledore peered through his half-moon spectacles, his kind eyes seeking Harry. "That was a very brave thing to do. I know you don't get along, but I never thought for one second that you would let Voldemort kill him. I am glad, Harry, that you show more of your mother in you everyday. Lily - and James - would've done for the same for anyone, no matter how much they hated them They did not wish for death on their enemies, and you, showed that you are truly Lily and James."
"Thanks Professor." Harry said.
"I know you are leaving Harry, and that Ron and Hermione are going to. I just want to wish you good luck. If you ever need me, I will be here, waiting." Dumbledore offered.
Harry smiled. "I know. I wish I could stay, but I've got to do this. It's my fate."
"It's destiny. The road you must walk."
He found Hermione, Ron, Neville, and surprisingly Ginny waiting for him when he emerged from Hogsmeade. He nodded at them, but then turned to Ginny, who stepped forward, her eyes flashing angrily.
"How can you not ask me to come?"
Harry sighed. "Because it will be too dangerous."
"Too dangerous? I helped fight in the Department of Mysteries! How can I not be of use?"
"Ginny…" Harry muttered, "I don't want anything to happen to you, okay? If you come with me, there's a chance I might not be able to save you, and it would kill me to know that I can't do anything. I would lose you. I love you Ginny, I always have done, but I can't let you come because my feelings would get in the way of my destiny. I've got to go on this path, and if I succeed I will return." He placed a hand on her cheek. "I will return to you, I promise."
And then, Harry leaned down and kissed Ginny on the lips. A powerful emotion ripped through him. Ginny was the one for him - no matter what anyone else said, she was the one for him. They were meant to be together. And it pained him considerably for him to be leaving her, only when he had just got the courage to say he loved her.
The others looked on.
With Voldemort gone, the story of Snape being a Death Eater and Draco's involvement spread throughout the school like lightening. Narcissa Malfoy was brought to the school, and Draco finally made the decision to help Dumbledore, having weighed his options. He knew he could not be a Death Eater, no matter how much it had been drilled into him that Pure-bloods should rule supreme, one part of Draco had always told him that was not right, and now the true Draco and his feelings were coming to the fore.
For the first time people were getting to see the real Draco Malfoy.
The school was guarded by Aurors day and night, to ensure that Death Eaters did not get in again. The wards had been made stronger, so that no dark magic could befuddle them.
Remus Lupin was found unconscious a few hours later after Voldemort had fled. He had been taken the St Mungo's and treated for injuries. He had a concussion, but other then that he was fine. Remus was up and about by the end of the second day, feeling quite elaborated he had rid the world of Fenrir Greyback.
It became quite noticeable that Gyffindor were missing four students but Dumbledore had asked them not to question it. All he said, was in time they would understand.
The sun gradually fell, its rays hitting the castle in the distance. Harry squinted, standing at the edge of the road, a smile evident on his face. The wind whipped through his hair and he breathed deeply.
The others stood behind him.
It had been the hardest thing to let Ginny go, but in the end she had left, promising herself that she would see Harry again. Yes he had promised he would return to her, but even he was not sure. But something in his heart told him that he would see her again.
And it was that feeling that kept him going.
Hoisting his pack over his back, he turned to the others, grinned, and then turned the road, turning his back on Hogwarts and started his journey.
He was finally onward to his destiny.
TBC
Review! Let me know what you like or dislike about this chapter! How can I improve it?
This is not the end of the story…still got loads more to come! If you have any questions, I will answer them!
Next chapter: Harry starts his journey. Coming soon, depending on what I'm doing. I've got so much school work it is unbelievable. I will try and update as soon as I possibly can, but it does all depend on what the teachers decide to torture me with. (They've already given me two English essays, a bunch of questions and extra work for half term!)
Bye for now!
MissBlackPotter